Fire pit with infrared heating

ABSTRACT

An outdoor feature combines a fire feature producing a visual effect with infrared heaters providing heat. The fire feature resides centrally in a framework and at a height providing visual attraction. The infrared heaters are attached to the framework and provide an efficient heat source for comfort of visitors. The infrared heaters may be positioned below the fire pit to direct heat towards the feet of the visitors, and/or may be positioned above the fire pit to provide a more general heat coverage. The framework is constructed of a weather and corrosion resistant material to maintain appearance and to reduce maintenance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fire pits and in particular an outdoorfire pit having a visual effect provided by fire and heating provided byinfrared heaters.

Outdoor features are often provided at vacation and recreation areas tocreate a congenial atmosphere for guests, vacationers, and visitors torelax together. A fire pit is a particular attractive outdoor feature atwinter vacation areas and resorts because the fire provides a visuallyinviting ambience and the heat given off by the fire provides welcomewarmth in a cold climate. Fire pits are also enjoyed in costal areaswhere cool breezes are common. Unfortunately with increasing energycosts, it is very expensive to use an open fire as a heat source.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providingan outdoor feature which combines a fire feature producing a visualeffect with infrared heaters providing heat. The fire feature residescentrally in a framework and at a height providing a visual attraction.The infrared heaters are attached to the framework and provide anefficient heat source for comfort for visitors. The infrared heaters maybe positioned below the fire pit to warm the, feet of the visitors,and/or may be positioned above the fire pit to provide a more generalcoverage. The framework is constructed of a weather and corrosionresistant material to maintain appearance and to reduce maintenance.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided anoutdoor feature including vertical supports, a hearth supported by thevertical supports, and a fire feature approximately centered on thehearth. Lower infrared (IR) heaters reside under the hearth anddirecting heat downward to warm a visitor's feet.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided anoutdoor feature including vertical supports, a hearth supported by thevertical supports, and a fire feature approximately centered on thehearth. Upper infrared (IR) heaters reside above the hearth anddirecting heat downward to warm a visitor's feet. A roof may attached tothe vertical supports, and the upper IR heaters may be attached to theroof or to the vertical supports.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more apparent from the following more particulardescription thereof, presented in conjunction with the followingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1A is a top view of an outdoor feature according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 1B is a front view of the outdoor feature according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of structure supporting a roof of the outdoorfeature.

FIG. 3 shows upper Infrared (IR) heaters attached to vertical supportssupporting the roof.

FIG. 4A shows a side view of radiant heat from the upper IR heatersmounted proximal to the roof.

FIG. 4B shows a top view of the radiant heat from the upper IR heatersmounted proximal to the roof.

FIG. 4C shows a side view of radiant heat from the upper IR heatersmounted to the vertical supports.

FIG. 4D shows a top view of radiant heat from the upper IR heatersmounted to the vertical supports.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first heath of the outdoor feature.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the first hearth of the outdoor feature.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the first hearth taken along line6A-6A of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a second hearth of the outdoor feature.

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the second hearth taken along line7A-7A of FIG. 7.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding componentsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated forcarrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in alimiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing one ormore preferred embodiments of the invention. The scope of the inventionshould be determined with reference to the claims.

A top view of an outdoor feature 10 according to the present inventionis shown in FIG. 1A, and a front view of the outdoor feature 10 is shownin FIG. 1B. The outdoor feature 10 includes vertical supports 12, ahearth 24 supported by the vertical supports 12, and a roof 20 supportedby the vertical supports 12. The outdoor feature 10 resides on a surface28. The vertical supports 12 preferably comprise a pair of spaced apartmetal plates, and more preferably a pair of corrosive resistant spacedapart metal plates, or may be concrete columns, however, localconstruction codes and environmental considerations generally dictatesize and material used for structures. The vertical supports 12 may beconstructed from any material suitable for outdoor use, and may becolumns, or any structure with sufficient strength to safely support thehearth 24 and the roof 20. Vertical support fill 22 comprising anarchitecturally suitable material may be used to fills the gap betweenthe spaced apart vertical supports 12, and/or IR heaters 30 b (see FIG.3) may reside between the spaced apart vertical supports 12.

The roof 20 preferably resides on beams 14 attached to the verticalsupports 12, and preferably has a central opening 24. The roof 20 andopening 24 may be round, hexagonal, octagonal, or of any shape suitablefor covering an outdoor feature. The roof 20 is preferably made fromcorrosion resistant material which are consistent with local buildingcodes.

The hearth 24 has a skirt 26 for enclosing heating elements and/or firefeature elements. The hearth 24 preferably is made from stone, metal,concrete, a composite, or similar material. The top surface ispreferably between two feet and 4 feet above the surface 28, and thelowest point of the skirt is preferably between 12 inches and 36 inchesabove the surface 28.

A top view of a structure supporting the roof 20 of the outdoor feature10 is shown in FIG. 2. The structure includes the beams 14, innertrusses 16, and outer trusses 18. Any structure suitable for attachingto the vertical supports 12 (see FIG. 1B) and for supporting the roof 20may be used. The IR heaters may comprise first upper infrared (IR)heaters 30 a which are attached under the roof 20 and direct radianthead downwards towards visitors. The IR heaters 30 a may be attached tothe beams 14, to the underside of the roof 20, or to the trusses 16 or18 and the IR heaters 30 a are preferably approximately four feet long.The number IR of heaters 30 a or the size of the heaters 30 a may beincreased or decreased as desired to provide more or less heat tovisitors, and the number of IR heaters 30 a on at a particular time maybe varied as needed. The IR heaters may also comprise second upperInfrared (IR) heaters 30 b attached to the vertical supports 12 as shownin FIG. 3.

A side view of radiant heat 34 a from the Upper IR heaters 30 a (seeFIG. 2) mounted under the roof 20 is shown in FIG. 4A, and a top view ofthe radiant heat 34 a is shown in FIG. 4B. The radiant heat 34 a isdirected downward toward visitors.

A side view of radiant heat 34 b from the Upper IR heaters 30 b mountedto the vertical supports 12 is shown in FIG. 4C, and a top view of theradiant heat 34 b is shown in FIG. 4D. Each IR heater 30 b directs heattowards visitors on a side of the outdoor feature 10 opposite thevertical support 12 which the IR heater 30 a is mounted to.

A perspective view of the hearth 24 with a first skirt 18 a of theoutdoor feature 10 is shown in FIG. 5, a side view of the hearth 24 ofthe outdoor feature 10 is shown in FIG. 6, and a cross-sectional view ofthe hearth 24 taken along line 6A-6A of FIG. 6 is shown in FIG. 6A. Theskirt 18 a is approximately cylindrical and a first lower IR heater 30 cresided in the skirt 18 a and directs a third radiant heat 34 c downwardand outward. The radiant heat 34 c thus directed provides warmth to thefeet of visitors. A fire pit 32 resides centrally in the hearth 24.

A side view of the hearth 24 with a second skirt 18 b of the outdoorfeature 10 is shown in FIG. 7, and a cross-sectional view of the hearth24 taken along line 7A-7A of FIG. 7 is shown in FIG. 7A. The skirt 18 bincludes angled sides 36 covering second lower IR heaters 30 d. The IRheaters 30 d are tilted to provide a fourth radiant heat 34 d angleddownward and outward to provide warmth to the feet of visitors.

The IR heaters 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, and 30 d are preferably electric IRheaters, or gas IR heaters, and are more preferably natural gas orpropane IR heaters. The IR heater 30 a (see FIG. 2) preferably generatesbetween approximately 60,000 BTU's and approximately 120,000 BTU's ofheat each. The IR heater 30 b (see FIG. 3) preferably generates betweenapproximately 120,000 BTU's and approximately 240,000 BTU's of heateach. The IR heaters 30 c and 30 d (see FIGS. 6A and 7A) preferablygenerate a total of between approximately 100,000 BTU's andapproximately 130,000 BTU's of heat. The fire feature preferablygenerates between approximately 125,000 BTU's and approximately 150,000BTU's of heat and preferably a solid fuel (e.g., wood) or a gas (e.g.,natural gas or propane) fire.

While examples IR heaters and fire features have been described above,an outdoor feature with any type of IR heater providing warmth and anyvisual effect providing a fire feature is intended to come within thescope of the present invention.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means ofspecific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modificationsand variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.

1. An outdoor feature comprising: a framework; a fire feature residingin the framework; and at least one infrared (IR) heater proximal to theframework and adapted to provide heat to visitors residing proximal tothe framework.
 2. The outdoor feature of claim 1, wherein the firefeature is created by a fire.
 3. The outdoor feature of claim 2, whereinthe fire feature is created by a gas fire.
 4. The outdoor feature ofclaim 2, wherein the fire feature is created by burning a solidmaterial.
 5. The outdoor feature of claim 1, wherein: the frameworkincludes a hearth; the fire feature resides approximately centered onthe hearth; and the IR heaters comprise lower IR heaters residing underthe hearth and heat an area under the hearth.
 6. The outdoor feature ofclaim 5, wherein the framework includes vertical supports supporting thehearth.
 7. The outdoor feature of claim 5, further including a roofabove the hearth, wherein the roof is supported by the verticalsupports.
 8. The outdoor feature of claim 7, wherein roof includes anopen center.
 9. The outdoor feature of claim 7, wherein upper IR heatersare attached proximal to the roof and direct heat downward towardsvisitors.
 10. The outdoor feature of claim 7, wherein upper IR heatersare attached to the vertical supports and direct heat downward towardsvisitors.
 11. The outdoor feature of claim 10, wherein upper IR heatersare attached to the vertical supports at locations above the hearth andunder the roof.
 12. An outdoor feature comprising: vertical supports; ahearth supported by the vertical supports; a fire feature approximatelycentered on the hearth; and lower infrared (IR) heaters residing underthe hearth and directing heat downward.
 13. The outdoor feature of claim12, wherein the fire feature comprises at least one selected from agroup consisting of a gas fire and a solid fuel fire.
 14. The outdoorfeature of claim 12, further including a roof supported by the verticalsupports.
 15. The outdoor feature of claim 14, wherein upper IR heatersare attached proximal to the roof and direct heat downward towardsvisitors.
 16. The outdoor feature of claim 14, wherein upper IR heatersare attached to the vertical supports at locations above the hearth andbelow the roof and direct heat downward towards visitors.
 17. An outdoorfeature comprising: vertical supports; a hearth supported by thevertical supports; a fire feature approximately centered on the hearth;and upper infrared (IR) heaters residing above the hearth and directingheat downward.
 18. The outdoor feature of claim 17, wherein upper IRheaters are attached to the vertical supports at locations above thehearth.
 19. The outdoor feature of claim 17, further including a roofsupported by the vertical supports.
 20. The outdoor feature of claim 19,wherein upper IR heaters are attached proximal to the roof and directheat downward towards visitors.